VIDEO: Demolition of the Fremont Inn on Aurora Ave.

A week ago, neighbors celebrated the start of demolition on a longtime Seattle eyesore – and by this Friday afternoon, much of the motel had been torn down.

The Fremont Inn at 4251 Aurora Ave. N. was known for prostitution, drug activity and as a hangout for violent criminals. In April 2010, Seattle police declared it a chronic-nuisance property – and the city ordinance defining such properties was created after frequent calls to the motel and others like it.

It’s expected to be replaced by 71 affordable apartments run by Catholic Community Services. Though demolition began Friday morning, completion of the four-story replacement is still a few months away. Plans call for the new building to be done in fall 2013.

The two-story, wood-frame motel was built in 1956 and operated for years as the Thunderbird Motel. The deteriorating Thunderbird sign is being given to a neighbor on Aurora who plans to restore it.

The demolition comes after years of work from Seattle Municipal Court Judge Ed McKenna, who as an assistant city attorney helped craft the city’s ordinance on chronic-nuisance properties and targeted problem Aurora motels that troubled neighbors and officers.

A few pictures of the recent demolition are above, and a short video of the demolition is below.